An avocado pitting device comprises a housing having an inner surface defining a recess. The recess is configured to receive a pit of an avocado. An engagement member projects inwardly from the housing inner surface. The engagement member is configured to engage the pit and retain the pit within the recess such that the pit is removable with the housing from the avocado.
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1. An avocado pitting device comprising:
a housing having a substantially dome-shaped inner surface defining a recess, the inner surface extending continuously without interruption about a generally central axis of the recess, the recess configured to receive a pit of an avocado, and an engagement member projecting inwardly from the inner surface, the engagement member configured to engage the pit and retain the pit within the recess such that the pit is removable with the housing from the avocado, and further including a separate gripping member secured to and substantially enclosing an outer surface of the housing and configured for grasping by a human hand.
19. An avocado pitting device comprising:
a handle having an inner surface defining a recess configured to at least partially receive a pit of an avocado, the handle having at least two spaced apart engagement members secured to and projecting from the inner surface, the engagement members configured to engage the pit and retain the pit at least partially within the recess;
the handle further includes a bottom wall having a bottom wall opening in communication with the recess, and a top wall configured to at least partially cover the recess; and
a finger insert located on the top wall, the finger insert being in communication with the recess which allows a user to remove the avocado pit from the recess.
16. An avocado pitting device comprising:
a handle having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion;
a first blade member coupled to the first end section of the handle, the first blade member configured to cut open the avocado to expose a pit of an avocado;
a second blade member coupled to the second end portion of the handle, the second blade member configured to slice the avocado; and
at least two spaced apart engagement members interposed between the first and second blade members, the engagement members projecting outwardly from the handle and toward each other such that the engagement members define a space for receiving the avocado pit, the engagement members being configured to pierce the avocado pit and retain the avocado pit against the handle allowing the pit to be removed from the avocado.
11. An avocado pitting device comprising:
a handle having a protuberance defining a substantially dome-shaped recess configured to at least partially receive a pit of an avocado, the handle having at least two spaced apart engagement members secured to and projecting from an inner surface of the protuberance, the engagement members configured to engage the pit and retain the pit at least partially within the protuberance;
the handle further includes a bottom wall having a bottom wall opening in communication with the recess, and a finger insert defined by an opening in communication with the recess which allows a user to remove the avocado pit from the recess, the finger insert opening being coaxial with the bottom wall opening;
a blade member connected to the handle; and
a resilient gripping member connected to the handle, the gripping member enclosing an outer surface of the protuberance.
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The preparation of an avocado for consumption typically begins with cutting the avocado substantially in half which leaves the pit exposed. The pit typically remains attached to one of the separated avocado halves. The avocado pit is removed. Next, the skin is removed and the fruit is then sliced for preparation and/or consumption. A sharp knife can be used to perform these tasks.
Another device currently used in avocado preparation includes a handle with lasso-like blade at one end that carves the pit from the fruit and a fan-like slicer attached to the other end of the handle. The slicer includes spaced apart blades for longitudinally slicing the fruit while also removing the fruit from the skin. This device is bulky. The lasso-like blade does not accommodate pits of different sizes and shapes, and during slicing, avocado residue, such as the fruit fiber, may become trapped in the spaces of the slicer. Cleaning the fiber out of these spaces can be difficult since cleaning devices may be too large to get in between the blades to remove the fibrous fruit.
An avocado pitting device includes a housing having an inner surface defining a recess. The recess is configured to receive a pit of an avocado. An engagement member projects inwardly from the housing inner surface. The engagement member is configured to engage the pit and retain the pit within the recess such that the pit is removable with the housing from the avocado.
Another example of an avocado pitting device includes a handle having a protuberance configured to at least partially receive a pit of an avocado. The handle has at least two spaced apart engagement members secured to and projecting from an inner surface of the protuberance. The engagement members are configured to engage the pit and retain the pit at least partially within the protuberance. A blade member is connected to the handle.
Yet another example of an avocado pitting device includes a handle having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. A first blade member is coupled to the first end section of the handle. The first blade member is configured to cut open the avocado to expose a pit of an avocado. A second blade member is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. The second blade member is configured to slice the avocado. At least two spaced apart engagement members are interposed between the first and second blade members. The engagement members project outwardly from the handle and toward each other such that the engagement members define a space for receiving the avocado pit. The engagement members are configured to pierce the avocado pit and retain the avocado pit against the handle allowing the pit to be removed from the avocado.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It will also be appreciated that the various identified components of the exemplary avocado pitting device disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
As shown in
As indicated previously, the pitting device 100 includes the at least one engagement member 120 configured to engage the avocado pit and retain the pit at least partially within the recess 114 of the housing 110. For example, and according to one aspect, the engagement member 120 can be a barb adapted to penetrate the exterior surface of the avocado pit and attach the pit to the housing 110. In the depicted embodiment, the pitting device 100 includes at least two engagement members 120 angularly spaced on the housing inner surface 112 relative to a generally central axis CA defined by the recess 114. More particularly, the pitting device 100 includes at least three engagement members 120 which are equally angularly spaced from one another on the inner surface 112 relative to the central axis CA of the recess 114 and are aligned substantially parallel to the central axis. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates a pitting device 100 having a plurality of engagement members to dig into or pierce the exterior surface of the avocado pit and retain the pit to the pitting device 100. However, it should also be appreciated that the number or size of engagement members 112 projecting into the recess 114 should not restrict access to the recess 114. In other words, the number of engagement members 120 is such that the avocado pit easily enters the recess 114 while simultaneously being engaged by the engagement members 120.
As best depicted in
The avocado pitting device 100 can include a separate gripping member 160 which is secured to and substantially surrounds or encloses the housing 110. For example, the gripping member 160 can be connected to the housing 110 by overmolding, ultrasonic welding, by an adhesive, or by other known manners for attachment. The gripping member 160 is softer and more resilient than the housing 110 and, therefore, is configured to allow a user to easily handle the pitting device 100. The gripping member includes a first aperture 162 aligned with the top wall opening 142 such that the aperture at least partially defines the finger insert 140 and is in communication with the recess 114. The gripping member also includes a second aperture 164 aligned with the bottom wall opening 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping member 160 is substantially dome-shaped; although, this is not required. Additionally, the inner surface 112 of the housing 110, and thus the recess 114, can be substantially dome-shaped which allows that housing to accommodate avocado pits of varying dimensions. As illustrated, the inner surface 112 defines a surface of revolution with respect to the central axis CA; however, this is not required. Alternatively, the inner surface 112 can have a profile, taken parallel with the central axis CA, which is polygonal in configuration.
It should be appreciated that the components of the avocado pitting device 100 (e.g. the housing 110, engagement members 120 and gripping member 160) can be manufactured from FDA-approved food contact materials. For example, the housing 110 and engagement members 120 can be formed from stainless steel, hardened plastic, ceramic or the like. The gripping member, which as indicated above is more resilient than the housing 110, can be formed from plastic and can have a surface finish adapted for improved traction, particularly in wet food preparation environments.
In use, the avocado is first cut substantially in half with a knife or other sharp implement. The pit typically remains attached to one of the separated avocado halves. The pitting device 100 is positioned over the avocado pit such that the bottom wall opening 132 is aligned with the pit. The pitting device 100 is then pressed onto the pit, which, in turn, forces the pit through the opening 132 and at least partially into the recess 114. As the pit enters the recess 114, the engagement members 120, which are at least partially located in the recess 114, engage the avocado pit by penetrating the exterior surface of the pit. Once engaged, the engagement members 120 retain the pit within the recess 114 such that the pit is removed with the pitting device 100 without mangling the fruit during removal. The skin is then removed and the fruit is then sliced for preparation and/or consumption.
With reference now to
The handle 202 includes a bottom wall 230 having an opening 232 in communication with an interior or recess 214 defined by the protuberance 210. The opening 232 is sized and shaped to allow avocado pits of varying sizes to pass therethrough and into the recess 214. As depicted, the opening 232 is circular in shape; although, this is not required. As shown, the recess 214 is substantially dome-shaped which allows for at least partial accommodation of avocado pits of varying sizes. The handle 202 further includes a finger insert 240 in communication with the recess 214. This provides access to the exterior surface of the avocado pit retained within the protuberance 210 and allows a user to remove the avocado pit from the device 200 with minimal force exerted on the pit. In the depicted embodiment, the finger insert 240 is defined by an opening 242 provided on a top wall 244 of the handle 202. The opening 142 is coaxial with the bottom wall opening 232 which allows a user to firmly hold the handle 202 and remove the avocado pit via the finger insert 240 with a single hand.
As indicated previously, the pitting device 200 can include at least two engagement members 220 circumferentially spaced on the inner surface 212. Again, as indicated above, more or less than two engagement members 220 are contemplated. More particularly, the pitting device 200 includes three engagement members 220 which are circumferentially spaced equally from one another on the inner surface 212. As best depicted in
With particular reference to
The fan blade 284 is connected to and extends from the second end portion 272 of the handle 202. In the depicted embodiment, the fan blade 284 is configured to slice the avocado in substantially equal dimensions. Particularly, the fan blade 284 includes a frame 300 and slicing elements 302 extending from a proximal end 304 of the frame 300 to a distal end 306 of the frame. The frame 300 of the fan blade 284 is used to peel the skin from the avocado while the slicing elements 302 simultaneously slice the fruit. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 300 is formed by a band 310 having a generally oval shape such that the frame takes the form of the avocado. At least one edge of the band 300 is beveled or tapered to create a sharpened edge 320 to facilitate peeling of the skin from the avocado. The sharpened edge 320 and the overall shape of the frame 300 facilitate positioning and movement of the frame 300 between the peel, or skin, and the fruit of the avocado, thus cutting the fibrous matter that holds the peel to the fruit.
The slicing elements 302 are generally evenly spaced apart from one another such that each slicing element 302 is substantially parallel to an adjacent slicing element 302. Even spacing of the slicing elements prevents build up of fruit residue and fiber at the proximal end 304 of the fan blade 284 and improves the ability to fully clean the fan blade. In the illustrated embodiment, the slicing elements 302 are formed by narrow ribbons that stretch across the frame 300. In the depicted embodiment, six slicing elements 302 are shown, although in other embodiments fewer or more slicing elements may be used. The slicing elements 302 can also be formed from a continuous wire which is strung back and forth across the frame 300, between the proximal end 304 and the distal end 306. Alternatively, the slicing elements 302 can be formed by a series of individual wires.
Similar to pitting device 100, the components of the avocado pitting device 200 (e.g. the handle 202, housing 210, engagement members 220, gripping member 260, and first and second blade members 280,282) can be manufactured from FDA-approved food contact materials. For example, the handle 202, engagement members 220 and first and second blade members 280,282 can be formed from stainless steel, hardened plastic, ceramic or the like. The gripping member 260 can be formed form a resilient plastic and can have a surface finish adapted for wet food preparation environments. The frame 46 can be formed from stainless steel, hardened plastic or the like. As shown, the components of the pitting device 200 are integrally formed to define a unitary avocado processing tool. However, it should be appreciated that the first and second blade members 280,282 can be separate members attached to the respective first and second end portions 270,272 of the handle 202.
In use, and with reference to
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Prommel, Mark, Brunner, Todd, O'Leary, Kevin
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 19 2011 | PROMMEL, MARK | HELEN OF TROY, LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026793 | /0116 | |
Aug 19 2011 | BRUNNER, TODD | HELEN OF TROY, LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026793 | /0116 | |
Aug 19 2011 | O LEARY, KEVIN | HELEN OF TROY, LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026793 | /0116 | |
Aug 23 2011 | Helen of Troy Limited | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Sep 26 2011 | PROMMEL, MARK | Helen of Troy Limited | CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 026793 FRAME 0116 ASSIGNOR S HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST | 026978 | /0521 | |
Sep 26 2011 | BRUNNER, TODD | Helen of Troy Limited | CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 026793 FRAME 0116 ASSIGNOR S HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST | 026978 | /0521 | |
Sep 26 2011 | O LEARY, KEVIN | Helen of Troy Limited | CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 026793 FRAME 0116 ASSIGNOR S HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST | 026978 | /0521 |
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